7 Technologies That Help Retirees Stay Active

A big fear that some adult children have of their parents retiring is that their parents will sit around the house all day and not stay active. It’s important that retirees stay mentally and physically active. Sitting around watching TV all day can decrease one’s mental acuity and possibly lead to depression, plus it can cause physical issues. According to an article written in The New York Times, people who are inactive are at an increased risk for heart issues and Type 2 diabetes.

Staying inactive doesn’t have to be an issue, though and there are several technologies that retirees can help. Continue reading for seven forms of technology that can keep retirees both mentally and physically active.

MP3 players – Exercising regularly is important to one’s overall health and if an older person doesn’t get the exercise needed, they could develop back problems and need to visit a chiropractor’s office, such as http://grahamrehab.com. Sometimes it is tempting to skip exercise because it is boring, but if a senior uses an MP3 player such as an iPod or a Zune loaded with their favorite upbeat songs, they can make exercise fun.

Online education – Becoming a couch potato doesn’t have to happen as retirees can keep their minds sharp with access to online education. People can take free classes from Harvard or Stanford, so staying mentally active doesn’t strain the budget.

Social networking – With approximately one billion people on Facebook, retirees have a great chance at connecting with old friends and coworkers via social networking. Not only is Facebook good for the social interaction, retirees can stay active by using the website to organize events such as book clubs or golf outings.

iPhone and Droid applications – At first glance, smart phone apps may not seem any better than sitting in front of the TV, but there are many apps that are designed to increase one’s mental acuity. For example, there is the Lumosity Brain Trainer app that retirees can use to increase memory and problem solving skills.

Scooters – Thanks to modern technology, retirees with physical disabilities can get out of the house with ease. While people with physical problems may be tempted to stay inside all day, with a scooter such as the Hoveround or Mobility Scooter, they can easily go out and socialize with people.

Motion video games – Video games aren’t just for kids thanks to motion gaming. While this activity does take place in front of the TV, if retirees use the Wii, Xbox Kinect or PlayStation Move, they can get a physical workout that is just as good as what they could get at the gym.

GPS systems – With lots of spare time, many retirees have a dream of traveling all over America, but that can be intimidating because of a fear of getting lost. That doesn’t have to be a problem though, if a retiree gets a GPS system, another form of technology that helps retirees stay active. Not only can GPS systems provide directions on maps that show every turn, most GPS systems also read the directions aloud.